Page 114 of The Sapphire Child
Andrew was pleased to get through dinner without any further talk about the war or family. He made sure he sat with MrsShankley and spent most of the meal getting her to reminisce about her time as a missionary.
He noticed how his father drank steadily throughout the meal. After dinner, the residents dispersed, some drifting along to the sitting room to play cards while others sat in the foyer under the cooling fans.
Tom fell in step with Andrew. ‘Want to go for a walk round the block?’ he suggested.
Andrew nodded.
Father and son set off down the hotel path. Andrew noticed how their strides were the same length and their shoulders at the same height – though he was broader in the chest. His father looked diminished, his dinner jacket hanging loose on his thin body. They marched in silence down the street, turning into Dalhousie and then down to the Mall. At the entrance to the Gymkhana Club grounds, Tom stopped and leaned against the wall.
‘Want a smoke?’ he offered, holding out his silver cigarette case.
Andrew took one from under the elasticated string, a frisson of memory stirring. As a boy he’d once stolen a cigarette from this very case. Esmie had caught him but let him off with a cautionary word not to take without asking. As far as he knew, she had never told Tom.
They smoked in silence, Andrew nervous at what his father might say. Would he start apologising again for not telling him about Belle or would he chide him for not returning to India sooner? He had no idea how to begin speaking to this man he hadn’t seen for almost nine years.
‘How is your mother?’ Tom asked.
Andrew flinched at the unexpected question. He dragged on his cigarette before answering. ‘The last time I saw her she wastrying to be brave about me going away but not very good at hiding how upset she was.’
Tom gave a ghost of a smile. ‘I can imagine that.’
‘She spends most of her time looking after Grandmamma – she’s very forgetful these days.’
‘Ah, Minnie.’ Tom nodded. ‘I always liked her.’
Andrew hesitated and then said, ‘I think Mamma is lonely at Ebbsmouth. She liked it when I was home from school and had friends to stay.’
‘I thought she had Dickie with her these days?’ Tom said, his tone tightening.
‘Uncle Dickie’s working in London for the government so doesn’t get north much.’
Tom ground out his cigarette. ‘And Tibby?’
Andrew was relieved that his father wasn’t going to harp on about Dickie. His mother had told him how ridiculously jealous Tom had been.
He smiled. ‘Auntie Tibby is wonderful. I miss her a lot. She somehow manages to keep that old pile of stones from falling down, as well as giving a home to a bunch of eccentric artists. She’s developed a passion for gardening and avant-garde art – and for years she’s had an Indian lover, Dawan Lal.’
‘Goodness! She’s having an affair with Dawan?’ Tom laughed. ‘I bet that has the county matrons gossiping.’
‘They’re very discreet,’ said Andrew. ‘And Auntie Tibby couldn’t care less what anyone says about her.’
‘That’s true,’ Tom agreed. ‘I’m glad to hear she hasn’t changed. Dear Tibby.’
Andrew immediately lit a fresh cigarette from his old one and offered one to his father. They continued to smoke.
Tom said quietly, ‘I can’t tell you how much Esmie and I have missed you, Andy. She sends her love and hopes you will comeup to Gulmarg when you next get leave to see us. She was very disappointed not to come this time but it wasn’t possible...’
Andrew murmured, ‘No, not with a baby to look after.’
Tom put a hand on his shoulder. ‘I’m so sorry you had to hear about Belle from Myrtle and not me.’
‘I’m pleased for you both that you have a daughter,’ Andrew answered tensely. ‘Honestly I am. But it makes little difference to me.’
Tom looked saddened. ‘You might change your mind when you meet the wee lassie.’
Abruptly, Andrew felt a deep resentment rising up inside. ‘I hope you don’t expect me to start playing happy families after all these years?’ he said. ‘Because my family is Mamma and Grandmamma and Auntie Tibby in Ebbsmouth. And my fiancée is there too. That home is more real to me than here or up in Gulmarg. I want you to understand that.’
‘I’m sorry to hear that,’ Tom said, looking pained. ‘We never wanted you to leave India in the first place. It’s been very hard for me and Esmie to endure this long separation—’
